I sell Mazdas and the CX-9 is easily my favorite SUV they make! Even tho the CX-50 Turbo is more fun, the overall luxury and refinement of the CX-9 with minimal impact on the driving experience make it my fave!
Does the a/c cool the cabin well on hot summer days? I've heard people mention that they weren't happy with the a/c performance, but I wasn't sure if it's just certain models or years.
We bought a 2022 CX9 Signature in deep metallic blue with white nappa leather interior. This is the best value for money out of all three rows. We live in Canada and it’s by far the best awd system ever… better than my 2015 BMW x5 we traded for this. Very happy overall. Just needs better lane keep.
I'm glad that you included the Kia Sorento in the competitors list. I've been looking at that because I can't get away from my need to have a versatile practical vehicle, even though I'm a divorced empty nester and very rarely have more than one passenger. I've seen so many reviewers complain about the rear seats, but I consider these to be more like a two row SUV with a lot of cargo room and an "emergency" third row in a pinch.
WOW.. some nice insight here and I have watched a ton of cx-9 reviews. Lots of little things pointed out and it's especially helpful to see your daughter use the vehicle, for those of us with small kids, or soon to be small kids. Keep it up, it's appreciated.
Almost bought one in 2021 and it was just for me (no fam). I'm 6' 4" and it was pretty comfortable for me. It was a Signature as well. I ended up getting a Subaru Legacy Touring XT and I really wish now I would have gotten the CX-9. I think it would be more reliable long term and I keep cars about a decade. Its been out so long I think they have any potential problems worked out.
Rented one a few weeks ago. Perfect for a small family or couple and a dog. My only compliant was the driver area felt a little cramped due to the width of the center console. The hard plastic on the lower area of the drivers door required a conscious effort to avoid when driving. The lack of a touchscreen wasn't a deal breaker.
@@mluu510 A couple and 2 kids...once in a while you haul one of their friends...or a dog..not to mention that the third row folds down for groceries or vacations.
The scroll wheel for CarPlay is not ideal but I will say it's very natural when you get used to it. There are shortcuts like pressing the Nav button brings up whatever maps app you are using in CarPlay.
I found your videos from the helicopter rides around LA. I was gonna suggest following the Railroad lines from the LA docks, thru LA in the Alameda Corridor and out into the desert. But I see you sold your choppa. I subbed anyways, hoping to see more heli tours.
I recently bought a used Mazda CX-9 Signature. It is amazing my wife, children, and I like it. The styling, features, and driving experience are really good. We came from an Infiniti QX60. It is bigger, wider, and longer than the CX-9 and we own an Acura MDX as well. The Mazda’s features and interior is nicer than both of those SUVs.
Really wanted one of these for a family of 5, but in the end it’s way too small all around in this segment. For a family of 4 or less I can see it working well.
Having owned many Mazdas since 1986, I love the current Mazda design language and the commitment to driving dynamics and as of late, quality interiors. The CX9 is not going to win capacity or even other stat wars (like the 6 speed trans), but as a whole, it works well for a certain group of customers. I think this should be viewed as a two row SUV with a 3rd row available in a pinch.
One thing of note to leave the 360 degree camera view I believe you can just hit the "home" button on the center console vs clicking the camera 3 times as mentioned.
I'm not sure if the CX-90 will replace the CX-9 for 2024 or if they'll coexist for a few years ala CX-5 and CX-50. But I should get an answer soon. I'm shooting a First Look video with the CX-90 for KBB tomorrow. :)
I really liked it when I test drove it. Drove well, good value, good tech, good looks. What held me back was what I found to be an uncomfortable front seat and the fact that it fell behind on third row usability and cargo space despite being one of the longest cars in its class. Great as a two row but compromised as a three row. I think Mazda could kill it with sales if they ever realized that simply driving well isn't enough. They are way behind peers in practicality in almost every segment and for family buyers that matters a lot. A new CRV for instance has 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A Rav4 is at 37.6. A CX5 has 29.1. At 38.2 feet of cargo space behind the second row a CX9 can't even match the smaller CRV on cargo space let alone something like a Pilot or a Telluride. It also falls way behind most of the competition on space behind the third row. If Mazda could be competitive on practicality, I think their sales would be great but I don't understand how they think they will do well with the least practical cars in what is a segment where most buyers are looking to buy family vehicles.
I recently bought a CX-5 Signature and I'm learning there are settings & tricks to make living with the infotainment + Apple CarPlay easier. Long press the Home button (down by that big controller wheel) switches between CarPlay & the Mazda Connect system. If you were listening to something via CarPlay, pressing the music note button down there will take you back to it. If you were using CarPlay-based navigation, pressing the nav button down there will take you back to it. (I think--but I'm not 100% sure--if you were using a Mazda Connect-based music option [like SiriusXM] or Mazda Navigation while also using CarPlay for something else, those buttons are smart enough to switch you back to the corresponding system you were last using.) And there is a system setting to turn off that 360 View Monitor as soon as you get out of reverse (I agree that should be the default). I just read that apparently you can also tap one of those center console control buttons to turn it off as well.
How would you compare the interior size as far as seating (especially 3rd row) and size feeling (especially behind 3rd row) to a Rivian R1S? Also how I'd the ride difference specifically going over bumps and I guess in general?
That last high-five from Micah was really more of a cast-punch in the face 😆Might need to re-think that for the next couple of reviews? I know "Come get your thumbs up" doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but...
Drive one. I think you will change your mind about it needing to be $20,000! cheaper. Great handling, very reliable, solid build. Just gives up a little in size.
To shut off the 360 view immediately and go back to navigation, you can probably just push the "back" button (on the left of the knob) once. At least that's how it works for my CX5.
Almost every other brand has gone to a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. The only competitors with V6 engines in this segment are the American brands, Nissan and Honda.
